Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology · 11019 Berlin · Germany
Measuring interoperability – from theory to practice
The positive effects of standardization, amongst others micro- and macroeconomic effects are well acknowledged. However, the evidence of conformity regarding a standard is not equivalent to interoperability. “Interoperability means the ability of information and communication technology (ICT) systems, as well as, of the business processes they support to exchange data and enable the sharing of information and knowledge”.
The project focuses on eGovernment-processes concerning G2G, G2B and G2C. Unfortunately, successful interaction of various data- and document-formats, processes and services as well as software (-versions) and applications often fails due to a lack of interoperability, which is a prerequisite condition as soon as two or more systems need to interact.
Bearing in mind that standards do not automatically lead to interoperability, public procurers have no acknowledged criteria to describe their specific requirements concerning interoperability and hence tend to select the most economic tender. Conversely, suppliers – especially SMEs – do not have an acknowledged possibility to proof if their product meets all requirements of the existing infrastructure. The field of interoperability thus lacks transparency.
The project seeks to develop measures to enhance interoperability in ICT. Instead of working out theoretical recommendation regarding the design of interoperable systems, the project chooses a practical approach by developing typical scenarios with the objective of analyzing, testing, verifying and demonstrating interoperability of selected systems in specific areas of application: documents- and data exchange, processes and services, and identity- and access management in eGovernment. Thereby, the project is able to address organizational, semantical and technical interoperability.
Requirements for interoperability within the scenarios will be developed and can be used later by procurers to efficiently inform suppliers about their needs. In order to achieve a verification, a testing environment is established (so called test labs) to develop and demonstrate a successful, comprehensible method to achieve interoperability which holds in practice. The testing method includes identifying and analyzing the problem, rating its negative consequences, testing compliance to pre-defined testing-specifications (including existing standards) and verifying the results. They further offer the technical environment for suppliers (and stakeholders) to run scenario-based interoperability tests to proof the qualification of their component. The outcome of these activities then provides a basis then provides a basis for the development of blueprints which will allow transferring the method to other real-world solutions. Where appropriate, the project will produce scenario-specific profiles, which will be channeled to the relevant standards bodies. This may also include profiling of standards where appropriate. An accompanying information and communication portal will deliver common and specific information to stakeholders and foster the building of an interoperability-community and assure equal access to these information.
In the long run, the labs will be transferred into an independent body, which will function as competence node, accredited test labs, which possibly also offer workshops, interoperability test events, and other types of training and information, and develop further showcases in order to promote acceptance and transparency within the interoperability community.